55 Types of Pacific Birds Get Special Protection By the U.S. Government

I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but I have to keep looking on the bright side to prevent from getting too discouraged. And there is, thankfully, a bright side. Yesterday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated 55 types of Pacific birds for special protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. That means these birds, which include Hawaii's Maui Parrotbill (pictured here), will fall under the vigorous protection of the U.S. government. This is great news. Hawaii, in particular, has been a difficult place for birds. Since human beings first began settling the Hawaiian Islands, 71 bird species have gone extinct. To quote an Associated Press report:

Hawaii accounts for one-third of U.S. endangered birds. Thirty-one Hawaiian bird species are listed as endangered. Altogether the agency added 186 species to the migratory treaty list and subtracted 11, bringing the current total to 1,007.

The official number of protected migratory birds in the U.S. now surpasses 1,000, which is great news - especially vulnerable birds. Now these birds will be monitored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and protected by stringent laws.